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Roy J. Durso Cocoa, FL QCWA # 36092 Chapter 66 |
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Roy J. Durso, 85, of Cocoa, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 26, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Roy was preceded in death by his mother and father, Salvatore Durso and Josephine (Yacona) Durso of Brooklyn, NY, and his wife Elinor (Hiersekorn) Durso. He is survived by two sisters, Ann Intoccia, Brooklyn, NY and Rose DiNardo, Leeds, NY; sons, Christopher Durso (wife, Adrienne) of Carlsbad, CA, and Steven Durso (wife, Lisa) of Merritt Island, FL; and two grandchildren, Paul Durso of Carlsbad, CA, and Lauren Durso of Merritt Island.
Roy grew up on Sackett Street in Brooklyn. In a short journal penned in 1992, Roy wrote about fond memories of growing up in Brooklyn. He fondly referred to his years in Brooklyn as "a carefree youth". Some memories included, "going to the delicatessen after Sunday church and buying beer", "bringing macaroni to Mrs. Sherman on Sunday morning", "Wednesday night at the Palladium", and "sitting out on the fire escape on a summer night playing the harmonica". Roy's youth in Brooklyn fostered his many talents and interests, which included Amateur (HAM) Radio (call signs included W2KTG and W4JAZ), attending movies and theatre productions, and perhaps, most of all, a love of Jazz. He grew up in the shadow of the great NY clubs of the 40's and 50's. Birdland was at the zenith of the jazz world and Roy was a loyal attendee. He was a member of the Space Coast Jazz Society for many years. Over the last few decades Roy sang some of his favorite tunes during the Sunday Night Jam Sessions at Heidi's Jazz Lounge in Cocoa Beach.
The US Army called Roy to service in 1951 where he served his country as a Radioman with the Signal Corps and reached the rank of Corporal. He spent his Civil Service career with the US Air Force as a Quality Assurance Specialist at both Patrick AFB, Cocoa Beach, and Vandenberg AFB, CA. Roy was an Ambassador with the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce for many years. He volunteered at the Tourist Information Center in Cape Canaveral where he welcomed local and international visitors to Florida's Space Coast. Many may remember Roy as 'Pete the Port Pirate' during the annual Port Canaveral Sea Food Festival.
Roy served as a poll worker for the Brevard County Supervisor of Elections nearly every election day; and was an avid member of the Indian River Amateur Radio Club. Additionally, Roy's passion for theater and acting led him to appearances in commercials, television shows, and movies. Perhaps his most notable film appearance was with actors Gregory Peck, David Janssen, and Michael York in the 1969 movie, Marooned; Roy played the part of a news reporter/NASA Technician.
Roy's passion for Jazz and acting was only eclipsed by the love he had for his friends. His life will be honored with a gathering of his friends and family at Heidi's Jazz Club, 7 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach, 7 p.m. Sunday, December 28th, during the Sunday Night Jam Session. Friends are welcome to come share memories, beverage, and good music. In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations in Roy's name may be made to Space Coast Jazz Society's Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 490, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. http://www.spacecoastjazzsociety.com/scholarships
Published in FLORIDA TODAY from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5, 2014
I was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1929. I graduated from Brooklyn High School for Specialty Trades in 1947. Majored in electronics. Held several jobs after that on production lines for Garod Radio, David Bogen, Pilot Radio and others.
Drafted into the US Army Signal Corps in 1951. Attended electronic training school at Fort Monmouth, NJ. At completion of school I was assigned to the 1802nd Special Regiment at West Point, NY for 1 year. Duties were training the cadets on the use of the various types of electronic equipment used for radio communications.
Discharged from the US Army SIgnal Corps in 1953. Married in 1958 and moved to Cape Canaveral, FL in 1964 to work as an Air Force Quality Assurance Specialist (Civil Service). I have been retired approximately 23 years and never a dull moment!